NDTV broadcaster said India would pay $8.8 billion for the jets, adding that the final agreement is set to be signed in India in three weeks, but delivery of the aircraft will not take place for another 18 months.

The head of Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier, said Wednesday he hoped a final agreement would be reached in the coming days.

"I have high hopes that the contract will be signed soon," he told France's Radio Classique.

Both the French defence ministry declined to comment on the matter.

India entered exclusive negotiations on buying 126 Rafale fighters four years ago, but the number of planes was scaled back in tortuous negotiations over cost and assembly of the planes in India.